Puppy Piles and Puppy Love

Puppy Piles are my favorite. There is nothing sweeter than watching little pups piled up sleeping, dreaming about their next meal, and snuggled up with the love of their brothers and sisters. Watching puppies pouncing and playing with fellow pups is one of the simple joys in life.

Five weeks ago HomePlace Farm was blessed with a litter of nine puppies. Darlin', a Great Pyrenees, was rescued by Linda and Michael a couple of weeks earlier, and much to their delight Darlin' joined the family and surprised us all with puppies too. Now Linda says puppies are a lot of work, but they are worth it. They just make you feel good inside.

Last week I thought Linda and Michael were going to keep all nine, until they realized each little creature was consuming 3 cups of dog food a day. They were just 4 weeks old and growing in leaps and bounds. Actually, all but two have been adopted and are preparing to go to their new homes in a couple of weeks. "Chunk" the biggest boy is going to join the Boozer clan and stay at the farm with Harley, Duke, Buddy and Darlin' (the Great Pyrenees working farm dogs). I can't leave out Chocolate "Chip" the pack leader (a chocolate Toy Poodle), and Dee Dee the Princess (a retired Yorkshire Terrier show dog). Let's see, if we add the new puppy Chunk the total number of dogs at the farm will be seven, all busy working around the farm guarding the alpacas and running the house.

My friends Linda and Michael love animals and have compassion for those lost souls in need of a home. They have also rescued several alpacas since they have owned HomePlace Farm, the old Boozer Family farm established in the early 1900's. Animals have a special way of tugging on our hearts' strings, especially puppies. So I am thankful Darlin' and her pups are at the farm bringing joy, laughter and warm cuddles by the truck loads.

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." Gene Hill

Spinning, Dyeing and Knitting

The benefit of knitting with handspun yarn has been variously described as the difference between eating tomatoes out of the garden and those available at the supermarket; the difference between reading every word of a classic and skimming Cliff Notes; the difference between a live orchestra and a recording . . . you know what I mean.  Much to my delight, we don't have to just "read the Cliff Notes, we have our very own source of handspun yarn.  Linda has been spinning and creating the most amazing yarns.  You can see the all online at www.homeplacefarm.net and in the store. 

To spin or not to spin?  I have been asking myself that questions almost daily.  I see the beautiful chunky, funky yarns that Linda is spinning and I say to myself, I want to do this.  How hard can it be?  Well let me tell you, it may look like riding a bike, but this stuff takes co-ordination.  My dad once made the observation that I couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time (he was just teasing of course) and after trying it for a few minutes I was inclined to believe that my dad was correct. 

We dyed sock yarn today and it is bright, colorful and fun.  I finished my socks and they are being blocked now.  I am tempted to start on a new pair using some of the skeins we just dyed.  Wonder if they are dry yet?  Who wants socks for Christmas?  not that I am volunteering to knit them, but I am sure we can teach you to knit some of your own.  Some of the yarn in today's batch is great for guys with names like Camo and Gun Barrel.  So if you can't spin at least you can knit with some fantastic hand dyed sock yarn.  

We had a entertaining night at the Knit Along.  Thanks to everyone to dropped in.  We would love to have more next week. 

Knit in Public Day is Saturday.  Diane and Susan will be knitting "In Public" at the Jacksonville Public Library from 9-1.  Stop by and knit "In Public" with us. 

Socks are coming along nicely

I have my sock ready to take some off and put on a holder....what to do next?  Hum....I think I'll ask Linda.  I am knitting "My First Socks" out of YPF Big Honk'in Sock Yarn.  Very Cool!  I'll update you after the weekend.  :)